Best Nanny Services and Apps

Updated on April 20, 2018

Twenty20

The search for a good nanny can be a challenge, especially since it is one of the most important child care decisions you have to make. It takes persistence, a great understanding of what makes a good nanny, and smart interview strategies. But how does one even begin to start looking for a nanny? Luckily, there are several apps and services that can help you kick start your search. Some require subscription fees and include reviews, some apps are free. Read on for the best nanny services and apps available today.

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In This Article

1 / 5Trusted Child Care

1 / 5Trusted Child Care

2 / 5Tiny Treasures Nanny Agency

3 / 5Care.com

4 / 5UrbanSitter

5 / 5Sittercity

Trusted Child Care

Why We Love It

Available for families in New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area, Trusted Child Care is a convenient way to secure a vetted and qualified nanny — whether part-time (starting at $18 per hour) or full-time (starring at $21 per hour). How does Trusted work? Parents select date, time and location they need child care on the app, and they are presented with a list of available providers (complete with video profiles) to choose from. All of Trusted's experience providers and nannies are reference checked and background checked. Additionally, the company verifies and ensures that a provider carries a valid CPR certification card and is immunized for Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (TDAP); Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR); Varicella (Chicken Pox); and Influenza (Flu) to protect against preventable diseases prior to adding the appropriate badge to the provider’s profile.

With the app, you can view a live video stream, geolocate your provider, and check in with your provide and message them anytime. Payments are made directly through the app.

Cost: Babysitters and mothers' helpers start at $15 per hour; experienced part-time nannies and teachers start at $18 per hour; and experience full-time nannies and Doulas start at $21 per hour. Trusted charges a service fee per booking, which can vary based on percentage of the booking total.

Tiny Treasures Nanny Agency

Why We Love It

Tiny Treasures is a nanny agency serving families in New York City and the Tri-State Area, Boston and Atlanta metro areas. They place nannies and childcare providers in homes for full-time, part-time and seasonal positions. If you don't have time to do an online search by yourself, Tiny Treasures is a great option — they provide screening of candidates, and even help with payroll and employment arrangements. Even if you have already found a nanny through an online search, Tiny Treasures can help with vetting and screening.

Cost: Nannies start at $20 per hour. There is a registration fee of $175 to begin the search for a nanny or childcare provider.

Care.com

Why We Love It

As one of the larger caregiving sites, you’re almost certain to find a solid selection of nannies, sitters and au pairs in your area. Care.com is essentially Match.com for parents and childcare providers — and you thought your dating days were behind you! You create a profile with key details about your family (How many kids? How old? When do you need a nanny?), then interested nannies respond and you take it from there. Care.com sitter profiles include references and optional background checks for an additional cost. Plus, through their HomePay service, Care.com can help with nanny taxes and household employment obligations. In addition to nannies and sitters, you can also find tutors, pet care, housekeepers and elder care.

UrbanSitter

Why We Love It

This app not only helps you find and connect with top-rated sitters in your neighborhood or as rated by your school, church or parenting group, they also help with finding part- or full-time nannies. Profiles include a star rating (zero to five), show how many repeat bookings a sitter has and of course, their reviews. You can also search for CPR-training and sitters who have passed a background check. As the name implies, it’s available in urban areas, with providers in 30 states, plus Washington D.C. It’s great for last-minute bookings; you’ll get responses in as little as three minutes after posting a job.

Cost: $34.95 per month, pay as you go; $19.95 per month or $99.95 per year with subscription; Free basic membership available.

Sittercity

Why We Love It

Sittercity has been around since 2001, so it’s possible you may have even booked some babysitting gigs from the other side when you were looking to make extra cash in your own pre-kids days. But the app also helps families find part-time, full-time and live-in nannies — even for infants and newborns.

What 15+ years in the business gets you is a large database of providers, 95 percent of U.S. neighborhoods have booked providers and 2,000 new providers join every day, according to the website. It’s a matchmaking site where you post your job, review applicants and book your match. Background checks are available for an additional fee. Many nannies have CPR and first-aid training, childhood development experience, and education and teaching skills.

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